SURREY Police has responded to criticism levelled at the Joyce Cregeen murder investigation by the defence team during the course of the trial of Nicola Bushnell.

Bushnell, Mrs Cregeen's cleaner at her home in Epsom, was cleared of murder and manslaughter at the Old Bailey on Monday after her lawyers suggested someone else could have been responsible for the killing.

The 81-year-old pensioner was found stabbed to death at her home on May 15, 2008.

During a three-week court case, Bushnell's defence team argued that detectives were too quick to assume her guilt in the days following the murder.

“We do not suggest any malpractice on the part of the police,” Jeremy Dein QC told the court .

“We respect the hard work that has been done by them. We simply say that they made up their minds that Nicola Bushnell did it and the case has been conducted in good faith but in error on this basis.”

On Tuesday, a spokesman for Surrey Police said: “Surrey Police carried out an extensive investigation into Joyce Creegen's murder, which we are satisfied was both thorough and exhaustive.

“Nicola Bushnell was arrested and enough evidence was produced for the Crown Prosecution Service to charge her with murder and bring a prosecution.

“The evidence was presented in court and it is then up to the judicial system to determine innocence or guilt.

“The jury listened carefully to all the evidence and came to their conclusions, which Surrey Police must respect.”

The spokesman added that there was “no evidence that has identified any other suspect” in the murder, but said the case would now be reviewed to establish any further lines of inquiry.

Bushnell admitted two counts of fraud relating to £40 in cashback which she took from Mrs Cregeen’s NatWest account.

She was sentenced on Tuesday and given a conditional discharge for 12 months.